Ranting of the Mind

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Imagine the gift of immortality or of a superhuman power. Waking up the next morning with the sole power of super speed, super strength, invisibility, or any other chosen power of one’s favorite superhero. What possibilities would one take advantage of? Would it cause the need for a secret identity? How would one decide on the best use of their newly found gift? Choosing a power would be difficult in itself, but if the possibility were granted, I would choose the power to control the uncontrollable, time.

As one gets older, the reality of the cliché of wanting “time in a bottle” or of “never having enough time” seems more and more relevant. The comments made by our elders, “If I could go back in time I would have…” or “If I could have gone back and done it over, I would…” It also has one wondering on how to utilize the time we have to its best and to make the best decisions as to not have to pay regrets to it in the future. Someone once told me that out of the three everyday factors in life involving time, money, and emotions, the only factor in which one could not control was time. He said, “Time goes on with or without you.” Time is also considered the one thing that there is never enough of but can also never be replaced.

Choosing the power to control time would give me both the ability of time travel and of freezing time in its place. With this power I would travel both in the past and future to reminisce, learn, and also experience things that could only have been done at that particular time. Imagine the possibilities of witnessing a historical event at the time and place of which it occurred such as Martin Luther King Jr’s speech at Lincoln Park? Or being in the presence or even meeting a historical figure such as the philosopher Aristotle? Maybe even doing what most people wish they could do, going back to see their past love ones once more, or being able to zip through traffic, and the lines at the grocery store.

One of the many things I would first like to accomplish with my power would be to revisit my grandfather on my mother’s side before he was murdered or maybe to even have prevented it. Although the event occurred when I was only eight years old, I remember it being too sudden. I remember my mother rushing to get on the next available flight to the Philippines and leaving me behind with my father. On my mother’s arrival, there was havoc in the little province of which everything happened and my grandmother was rushed to move and live in the city. My mother was afraid for my grandmother because it was rumored that my grandfather was killed while being robbed. I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw my grandfather alive because I was so young at the time.

The next thing I would utilize my power for would to travel back in time to see the world and how much it has changed. This particularly applies to the era of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Ever since I learned about these places in history, I have been intrigued. The idea of pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphics, and undiscovered history and techniques of the Egyptians would have been great to witness. Also to have witnessed the philosophers, myths, Golden Era, and the rise and fall of both Greece and Rome would be an experience one could only imagine but be possible with my gift.

One would probably tell me I was using my power in a selfish manner with the things I have just listed I would do, and/or ask why I wouldn’t do something greater as in change the history of things in the past. Things such as the slavery, Holocaust, Rwanda, the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the ongoing situation in Darfur, and other such situations in which prevention of much suffering could have been changed. Although these do seem like legitimate tasks in which my power could be used for, one has to think about the other things that would change in the prevention of these tragic events in history. The easy thing would be to prevent the mass killings of the Holocaust by going back in time and killing Hitler, but what happens afterwards? One needs to realize that to tamper with one part of history would tamper with history altogether, for everything is connected. Also, one person may have a say or effect on history but cannot change the course of history without others involvement.

Lets take a moment to take a look at the vindictive side of having the ability to either alter time in itself or freeze time. This ability would give me the advantage to make straight A’s in school, never be late to an event again, or stop an argument from taking place. To be empowered with time control would mean changing people’s decisions. Elect anyone I want in office as either the President of the United States of America, Governor, or mayor.

Having this ability would help get out of tight spots. I know that everyone would love to freeze time and finish or do a chore that either you mother or father tasked you with doing. Forgot to vacuum the house, mow the yard, wash the dishes or even start dinner and know that mommy or daddy would get furious? You know that they would be home in less than thirty minutes and you didn’t complete everything you were told to do before your parents got home. Ever thrown a party while your parents were away and the house is a mess and don’t have the time to clean it up before your parents got home? Have you ever said something you shouldn’t have or it came out wrong and wished you could rewind time to fix the problem?

Think about something as simple as war. War is a never ending thing that occurs in history repetitively because we as a society haven’t figured out a better alternative to solving problems. Think about it all your life you are told that violence solves nothing. I mean remember Scruff McGruff? The dog detective that would solve a problem between a helpless kid and his/her bully? My power of controlling time would only serve as a tool in which I would try to educate others in the history without tampering with it. I realize that with great power comes great responsibility. With my power of time control I know my life would be changed forever and be given more pressures, but I also realize I would be responsible and not abuse it in any way such as tampering with history. I believe this is mainly the reason no one person can control the uncontrollable element of time.

In conclusion I have listed many ideas of being able to accomplish with the element of time, but in the end life is one big roller coaster and having the ability wouldn’t solve or change anything. It would however cause the course of everything to run amok. Nothing would seem normal. It would be like living on Hysteria lane in Desperate Housewives. Or living in a giant fairytale like The Wizard of Oz. Could you imagine clicking your heels together saying, “There’s no place like home?” Time: the uncontrollable element. Is the ability that like I said no one person should have the ability to control. Time is of the essence. What would you do if you could control time? Would you do the right thing or embrace the power in your vindictive ways? The decision is yours.

Imagine the gift of immortality or of a superhuman power. Waking up the next morning with the sole power of super speed, super strength, invisibility, or of any other chosen power of one’s favorite superhero. What possibilities would one take advantage of? Would it cause the need for a secret identity? How would one decide on the best use of their newly found gift? Choosing a power would be difficult in itself, but if the possibility were granted, I would choose the power to control the uncontrollable- time.

As one gets older, the reality of the cliché of wanting “time in a bottle” or of “never having enough time” seems more and more relevant. The comments made by are elders, “If I could go back in time I would have…” or “If I could have gone back and done it over I would…” It also has one wondering on how to utilize the time we have to its best and to make the best decisions as to not have to pay regrets to it in the future. Someone once told me that out of the three everyday factors in life involving time, money, and emotions, the only factor in which one could not control was time. He said, “Time goes on with or without you.” Time is also considered the one thing that there is never enough of but can also never be replaced.

Choosing the power to control time would give me both the ability of time travel and of freezing time in its place. With this power I would travel both in the past and future to reminisce, learn, and also experience things that could only have been done at that particular time. Imagine the possibilities of witnessing a historical event at the time and place of which it occurred such as Martin Luther King Jr’s speech at Lincoln Park? Or being in the presence or even meeting a historical figure such as the philosopher Aristotle? Maybe even doing what most people wish they could do, going back to see their past love ones once more.

One of the many things I would first like to accomplish with my power would be to revisit my grandfather on my mother’s side before he was murdered or maybe to even have prevented it. Although the event occurred when I was only eight years old, I remember it being too sudden. I remember my mother rushing to get on the next available flight to the Philippines and leaving me behind with my father. On my mother’s arrival, there was havoc in the little province of which everything happened and my grandmother was rushed to move and live in the city. My mother was afraid for my grandmother because it was rumored that my grandfather was killed while being robbed. I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw my grandfather alive because I was so young at the time.

The next thing I would utilize my power for would to travel back in time to see the world and how much it has changed. This particularly applies to the era of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Ever since I learned about these places in history, I have been intrigued. The idea of pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphics, and undiscovered history and techniques of the Egyptians would have been great to witness. Also to have witnessed the philosophers, myths, Golden Era, and the rise and fall of both Greece and Rome would be an experience one could only imagine but be possible with my gift.

One would probably tell me I was using my power in a selfish manner with the things I have just listed I would do, and/or ask why I wouldn’t do something greater as in change the history of things in the past. Things such as the slavery, Holocaust, Rwanda, the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the ongoing situation in Darfur, and other such situations in which prevention of much suffering could have been changed. Although these do seem like legitimate tasks in which my power could be used for, one has to think about the other things that would change in the prevention of these tragic events in history. The easy thing would be to prevent the mass killings of the Holocaust by going back in time and killing Hitler, but what happens afterwards? One needs to realize that to tamper with one part of history is to tamper with the entire history for everything is connected. Also, one person may have a say or effect on history but cannot change the course of history without others involvement.

Think about something as simple as war. War is a never ending thing that occurs in history repetitively because we as a society to do not learn about it not being the only resolution available. My power would only serve as a tool in which I would try to educate others in the history of history without tampering with it. I realize that with great power comes great responsibility. With my power of time control I know my life would be changed forever and be given more pressures, but I also realize I would be responsible to not abuse it in any way such as tampering with history. I believe this is mainly the reason no one person can control the uncontrollable element of time.

When a class is miserably boring it doesn't go by fast enough; when a class produces interest it ends too soon. The issue is, at least in my case, it's difficult to identify which classes those are before the withdraw (with tuition refund) date comes. Now to be fair there is ample time to withdraw from the course without academic penalty after this date. But the way I see it, if I just spent $315 (this is the approximate price of one three credit course at TCC), I might as well try to stick it out and do the best I can. But luckily for me my English 111 class didn't create these or any regrets.

It started off fairly similar to how I start all my classes. You know, that mentality that you're gonna do exceptionally well and do all the necessary work... maybe even learn. The only significant differences this time was I was "with child," as in pregnant, and working as a manager at a highly stressful environment- retail. But like many other working students school does not mean I don't have ends to make meet with added tuition costs.

With those being the only differences, I went in with simple expectations. For my Math 158 (College Algebra) class I expected to learn college level algebra; for my World History 111 class I expected to learn the world's history during that time period; and for my English 111 class I expected to learn how to and be a better writer. All simple requests really.

Well, no brown-nosing intended, English was my favorite class. My SDV 100 class falls in second because I had a great teacher and it was super easy. The only issue with that class was that it wasn't interesting, and I personally felt that the course is a replica of Freshmen Orientation (FOCUS), with the exception of it lasting 3-4 weeks instead of a few hours, receiving a credit for it, and having to pay for it. Although one had to be a registered student to attend FOCUS so the latter might not really apply. Math was a big review of past math learned in high school, and history reaped nothing, which explains why I'm having to retake it.

First impressions, first seven to thirty seconds, are key for everyone but especially those who are to influence or inspire others. This was well achieved by Mr. Paul Gasparo. He acted as if he was a student, even conversing with another student who was talking negatively of another professor, all while the class was wondering where he was at for about fifteen minutes. Once students were debating on and actually leaving, he went to the front of the class and exposed himself. The entire class was stupefied. Afterwards he had us participate in an activity which we were to suggest words to describe him. When a fair list of words were written he had us explain and provide proof, if possible, to how they related to him. Now it may have seem meaningless at the time but used this same lesson to lay ground for our first assignment.

Going through each and every assignment would make this entry more than 700 words, so I am just going to briefly describe and explain the lessons learned. Now being adherent to his audience, Paul used and made material that most of the class would understand which made it effective. Examples of such included watching movies, such as Supersize Me and X-Men, to recognize elements of rhetoric (ethos, pathos, logos) and cite the use of synthesis. And to reiterate and confirm the assignment he would have us make a presentation along with the essay. These presentations (usually by powerpoint) not only continued what we learned but made us utilize other important things, such as the practice of creative thinking and delivery.

Everything was going as planned until Akira, my daughter, decided to do things her way during her stay in the womb. Fortunately enough Paul understood and allowed me a very, very gracious extension (again, to put it nicely, no brown nosing intended) hence forth my current flux of blogs. But to genuinely sum up my experience in English 111, my expectations were met and then some. If I had to, even though I pray I won't need to, I would take Paul's class again. (Don't allow this to inflate the ego too much now Paul)

Having It All, by Taees, is absolutely wonderful. It is something every goal-pursuing women should read to level their selves. Taees has brilliantly described how women differ from men in the pursuit to obtain what is basically inevitable. She even begins with something many of us [women] constantly face everyday- exposure of being fabulous while multitasking. As if trying to find time for work, school, home, and motherhood isn't hard enough, I have to look effortlessly great as well?! HA! If only it was that simple.

In her effort to discuss her point she compares her experiences with the "non-gay" men she knows of and their priorities. She describes their priorities in four simple steps with all fall back into the first two- which involve money and sex. Taees then divulges on how appearances play a role in men's lives. Basically, the complication involved in men's appearances seems to be relatively similar to their priorities- almost effortless. Her different comparisons, in describing how simplistic it is for men, allow her to effectively use humor to emphasize her point- this is an example of pathos.

As the blog goes on she starts to depict the different aspects women become consumed in fulfilling. She sums up all of these sub points into one word- ambitious. Taees own list, concerning her career options alone, is consisted of many ambitious ambitions. Describing her experiences and everyday sacrifices to fulfill her many goals portrays her to be creditable which is also called ethos.

But as the conclusion comes about, especially since the writer's exhausted is becoming triumphant, it is obvious that ambitious women need to stop believing in the fallacies of having it all. The entirety of this blog is a prime example of logos that women should consider. It is just not possible to [happily] obtain it all,and there is nothing wrong with that. It's just another thing we woman can add to (in my case natural) childbirth.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

This is a wonderful example of the impossibilities, stated by the United States government, that are evidently possible elsewhere. Now by no means am I saying that this issue is of ease to fix but it seems as if other countries are making that effort in order to provide something that is a bit of a necessity. So what is it exactly that I am ranting on and on about? Health care. Health care for all the citizens of the United States to be more specific.

With the current scare of swine flu being on every broadcasting new channel, it emphasizes the need to seek medical attention for any symptoms of sickness. But what is not even considered is that inability of some Americans to be seen at a medical facility. Now I am sure if you told them you think you may have swine flu then they would take the time to test you to avoid to foreshadowing epidemic. Hopefully your tests are negative, but what then? If you fail to have health insurance, then there shall be no relief since you are going to be given an expensive bill.

Nearly 46 million Americans, or 18 percent of the population under the age of 65, were withouthealthinsurance in 2007, the latest government data available. [And] Nearly 40 percentof theuninsuredpopulation reside in households that earn $50,000 or more.1 A growing number ofmiddleincome families cannot afford health insurance payments even when coverage is offeredby their employers. (Healthcare Insurance Coverage)

Now this would not relatively be as frustrating if there still no possible solution, but there is- socialized medicine. In Steve Weissman's Yikes!!! I'm a Slave to Socialized Medicine, he describes his experience with socialized medicine while living in France. He begins with freedom of choice to choose one's medical provider, which is not common to Americans with health insurance, with only two possible reasons to be denied: too many patients and not within their geographical area. The latter only exists as to prevent a long travel when making house calls. Other things such as labs are done by a nurse at home with results received following day through the mail; full reimbursement and expenses covered by the government; no costs of prescription medicine to the patient; and on the spot doctor's reports are all benefits of this socialized medicine. These are also examples of pathos because these situations can bring about great emotions of frustration since many other medical providers, with the exception of the military, fail to provide the same.

Weissman then uses ethos in three situations to prove better care within socialized medicine. The first being the French system rated as the best in the world by surveys, conducted by the World Health Organization, stating it is far better than average health care in the United States; life expectancy and most other relevant rankings are also higher in France than in the United States; and in his own comparison of care from his doctors in Florida to the ones in France. Overall, he closes with a point using logos. Although none of this is really free because of taxable income and pensions paid to the government, the situation is still relatively the same because we Americans also pay a great many taxes. So with all this being true, why are we Americans still claiming health care for all to be impossible?

Thursday, January 1, 2009

What comes to mind when one hears the word dumpster diver for the first time? More than likely one would associate it as a way to describe actions of the homeless. The same homeless in whom many believe are the only ones inferior enough to await the leftovers of others by any means necessary. Or maybe some may even believe it to be some idiotic sport like midget tossing. But in reality, dumpster diving is not something limited to only the homeless.

The article Dumpster Diving, by Lars Eighner, describes how he resorted to dumpster diving for his "necessities of daily life" after putting "all my sporadic income into rent." His firsthand experience combined with stated interest and research on dumpsters in the introduction presents the use of ethos, which allows the reader to view the writer as creditable. As the article progresses Eighner divulges in detail the different aspects of being a dumper diver- or scavenger as he refers to it.

Eighner begins with one of the most important factors he learned being a scavenger- how to determine if the food is edible. These three necessary principles in determining such are: “using the senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of the found materials, knowing the Dumpsters of a given area and checking them regularly, and seeking always to answer the question ‘Why was this discarded?’" He emphasizes how simple this process can be by using logos and pathos. The humor in his aggravation of something logical is present in his following statement,

“Of course I would not offer my companion anything I had doubts about. But more than that, I wonder why he cannot evaluate the condition of the crackers for himself. I have no special knowledge and I have been wrong before. Since he knows where the food comes from, it seems to me he ought to assume some of the responsibility for deciding what he will put in his mouth.”The article goes on to describe different situations in which Eighner experienced while scavenging. Such descriptions included the different stages commonly faced when one becomes a scavenger; the difference between other scavengers and can scroungers; the ethics he believes a scavenger should have; scavenger hazards such as fire ants and bees; and also different techniques in which one can go about scavenging a dumpster. But the ending to Eighner’s article is what I believe to have the greatest impact, which to no surprise, has a great play of the pathos appeal. Eighner states how his experience as a scavenger has brought about great insight to two very deep lessons. The first is to only keep what one can use, and the second and probably most important, to not be attached to material things. Ultimately that the sentiments brought by the material item is what to be cherished instead of the material object itself.